Face mask



y 5, 3 R. H. BOWER 2,637,038

I FACE MASK Filed Nov. 19, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 v Para/7f fiowfe.

IN VEN TOR.

HTTORNAYJ' R. H. BOWER May 5, 1953 FACE MASK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 19, 1948 2L Far/1 h! Bowie.

INVENTOR:

Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FACE MASK Ralph H. Bower, Goshen, Ind.

Application November 19, 1948, Serial No. 60,877

.6 Claims. (Cl. 2-206) This invention relates to improvements in face masks.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a face mask which is of simple and inexpensive construction and of attractive appearance, the same being formed from paperboard and constructed to have a novel three-dimension shape and appearance.

A further object is to provide a mask formed of paperboard bent and folded in three-dimension form and including a chin strap and a nose opening, said strap and openin cooperating for firm or solid seating thereof against the head of the wearer to cover his face when provided with a tie passed around thehead A further object is to provide a mask formed from a paperboard blank having interlocking parts adapted to hold the same in desired sha e bent in one direction and also having detachably mounted thereon other paperboard elements which simulate head features and lie in selected positions relative thereto,

Other obiects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mask forming one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 and illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention at the bottom chin-simulating part of the mask.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 and illustrating another embodiment of the invention at the part of the mask simulating the mouth.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 and illustrating an other embodiment of the invention at the part of the mask simulating the forehead.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates one embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a blank formed from paperboard and cut to desired shape dependent upon the character of the image to be simulated thereby. In the form shown in the drawings, the mask is adapted to simulate a clown face, although it will be understood that any other type or style or face desired may be simulated. The clown face serves to illustrate th p n pl m died in this invention, and it will be undfirstood that changes may be made in the shape of the mask to facilitate the simulation of any other form of object or head to be represented.

The blank [0, as here illustrated, has fold lines l2 arranged in substantially symmetrical relation at opposite sides of the upper portions thereof, and the portions M of the blank are adapted to be folded along the lines l2 into planes angularly disposed to the remainder of the blank. In the form shown, the portions [4 of the blank are decorated to depict a Wig or c rled hair. The blank is also provided adjacent its lower end and at its opposite sides with a pair of projecting portions l6, sometimes referred to as chin strap portions, which are adapted to be folded along the fold lines I8 at which they are joined to the body. The fold lines l8 are preferably positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the blank, i. e., to the vertical median line of the blank. The chin strap portions 16 are so shaped and project from the remainder of the blank at such angles that, when blank if] is bent or curved as best shown in Fig. 3 so that the lowermost portions thereof extend around the wearer's jaw. the chin strap portions I6 will overlie one another substantially horizontally as seen in Fig. 2. The ends of each of the chin strap portions It are provided with tabs 20 provided to be passed through slots 22 in the other chin strap portion it to hold said parts in face contacting engagement, as best seen in Fig. 2. As seen in Fig. 3, the rear edges of the portions I 6 are preferably curved at 26 so that they fit firmlv against the neck of the wearer, thereby permitting the opposite side portions of the blank as at the fold lines E2, to be positioned at opposite sides of the face and adjacent to the ears of the wearer. The interlocking of the chin strap portions It by the tabs 20 serves to hold the blank in a generally transversely curved shape as illustrated, the particular shape varying according to the character to be depicted by the mask, and in some instances, however, entailin no vertical curvature of the blank. It will be observed from Figs. 2 and 3 that the curving of the blank [0 and its locking in that curved position by the chin strap portions 16 will provide a passage or opening 26 between the center part of the blank and the center part of the chin strap portion It so that the center part of the blank is spaced forwardly from said chin strap portions 96. This will facilitate air circulation between the mask and the face of the user. Also, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, the central bottom portion 28 of the blank projects to a level below the level of the chin trap portions l6, thereby substantially concealing the same.

Where a beard. elongated or exaggerated chin is to be represented, the same may be outlined in the portion of the blank between the chin strap portions [6. Fig. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment in which the portion 28 is scored to provide side parts 21 which are interlocked by tabs 29 and serve to hold the intermediate part 28 in desired curved form.

The side portions of the blank below the portions 14 thereof are preferably provided with flanges 30 adapted to be folded upon themselves in an inward direction, and are provided with apertures 32 registering with like apertures in the portions of the blank in register therewith for the receipt of flexible strings, ties or elastic members 34 adapted to be passed around the back of the head of the wearer to hold the mask in place. The center portion of the mask intermediate its height is provided with an opening 36 so located that the nose of the wearer may pass therein, thereby permitting the upper portion of the mask to bear fiat against the forehead and the lower portion of the mask to fit closely around the chain although not necessarily in contact therewith. In this connection, it will be apparent that the position of the lower central portion of the mask will be determined by the chin strap portions [6. In the preferred form, the chin strap portions I6 will be so positioned and proportioned that the central lower portion of the mask will be positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the lips of the wearer so as not to interfere with the speech of the wearer nor to be liable to wetting by the lips of the wearer when the mask is securely held in place and drawn into firm contact with the head of the wearer by the tie members 34. The blank I 6 is also provided with sight openings 38 so located and positioned that the user may look therethrough. In this connection, it will be apparent that the upper edge of the nose opening 36 will bear against the bridge of the nose and thereby tend to hold the mask and the body against downward slipping which might entail movement of the sight openings 38 out of register with the eyes of the wearer. The shape and size of the openings 36 and 38 may vary according to the character and features of the head being simulated. In general, however, it is desirable to keep the sight openinrs 38 rather small so they do not detract from the decoration imprinted on the mask. In most instances, the size and shape of the nose opening 36 is not material, it being important only that the same be large enough to receive the wearers nose.

The blank H] has mounted or otherwise attached thereto a plurality of feature-simulating elements. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, paperboard or other ear-simulating members 48 provided with tabs 42 along one edge thereof are passed throu h slots 44 in the blank I to anchor the ear members 40 to the blank. The tabs 42 will preferably be slightly tapered with their free ends larger than their inner ends to insure a firm anchorage. If desired, these tabs may be folded flat against the blank. Other members, such as members 46 simulatin eyes and portions of the face around the eyes are anchored to the blank [0 by means of tabs 48 passed through slots 56 in the blank Ill. The eye-simulating members 46 will be provided with openings 52 registering with the sight openings 38 in the blank for vision of the wearer. As illustrated herein, the tabs 48 on the eye-simulating members 46 will be located at different positions thereof and will be held thereby in predetermined shape which may or may not follow closely the contour of the blank. Thus the eye-simulating members 46 may be substantially fiat, in which event the outer vertical edge portions thereof may be spaced from the blank l8. Another member 54 simulating the mouth and the area there around may be slotted at 56 to receive tabs 58 cut out from the blank [0 and passed through said slots. In this instance the mouth-simulating member 54 may be bent to the curved form substantially conforming with the transverse curvature of the portion of the blank adjacent thereto. It will be apparent, however, that, if desired, the curvature of the mouth-simulating member 54 may be either more or less than the curvature of the blank, thereby giving a different contour than the contour of the part of the blank which the same overlies and which is accomplished by spacing and arranging the slots 56 differently than the spacing and arrangement of the tabs 58, so that said slots 56 and tabs 58 will interfit only when mouth-simulating member 54 is bent to the contour desired. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 5 to simulate protruding lips, wherein upper and lower lip members 55 of substantially crescent form are bent to curved shape in which they are held by the tabs 51 projecting through suitable slots in the blank Ill. The lip members 55 are so shaped and are so anchored by tabs 51 that they engage the blank IE1 at one edge only, the other edge being spaced from the blank, and the lip members 55 thus project in relief from the contour of the blank I0. Eyes, eyebrows, mustaohes, noses, foreheads, hair, chins, cheeks and other facial features, and caps, headgear or the like, may be formed similarly. In each such instance, the form, size, and shape or contour of the member will be selected ac cording to the effect desired. Thus the members may vary from the crescent form described and, where sharp contours are desired, these members may be slotted and the margins of the slots either drawn together or overlapped to provide the sharpness of detail desired, as shown in Fig. 6, and to produce effects other than those obtainable merely by bending or curving the blank member.

A nose forming element 60, here shown as formed from a blank bent substantially to conical or pyramidal form, has tabs 62 along one edge thereof passed through openings in the opposite margin and interconnecting the two margins to hold the nose blank in its conical or pyramidal form. Other tabs 64 project from the inner end of the nose member 60 and pass through the slots in the blank I0. In some instances, the parts may so overlap one another that the tabs serving to anchor the overlapping parts may pass through other members than the body blank. Thus the eye members 46 in the form shown are preferably slotted in register with the slotsin the blank [0 to receive the tab 64 of the nose member. It will be understood, of course, that the particular size, shape, outline and contour of each of the members carried by the base blank I 0 may differ from that shown. Furthermore, it will be understood that the blank I0 and each of the members attached thereto, such as the members 40, 46, 54 and 60, may be suitably decorated as by coloring the same to give the appearance desired. The shape of the forehead portion of the mask may be altered from the straight longitudinal shape, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by the construction shown in Fig. 6. In this acergcss form the upper end of the blank is slotted at one or more points to form laterally spaced diverging parts it, and is scored or folded at other points, as at it. Suitable securing means, such as tabs ill, may look in receiving slots to anchor the parts it together in desired form, accommodated by folding along score lines l2. This con action permits vertical bending or contcurir Of the mask, in addition to the transverse bending thereof. It will be understood, however, that the forehead portion, hair simulation, headgear simulation, may be formed of separate part anchored to the blank it by tabs, etc, which hold it in desired shape or contour.

One or the advantages or" a mask of this character is that it may be manufactured and sold in hat or knocked-down form. For example, it may be sold in a single fiat sheet, suitably scored to outline the various parts, such as parts it, iii, #35, 5t and 66, which are to be cut or broken from the carrier sheet by the user, and then assembled in the manner described, it being understood that the slots will be pro-formed and that the outlines of the various members will include the tabs for securing the parts together. In this connection, it is desirable that all tabs be of such form and shape as to resist the separation of the parts, for which purpose the shape of the tabs may entail the enlarged free end portion compared with the inner portion thereof.

While the mask has been described herein as being formed from paperboard, it will be understood that it may be formed from any other material found suitable. The use of paperboard is preferred, however, by reason of its rigidity when bent, its low cost, the ease of handling the same and the ease of printing the same and applying color thereto.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A face mask formed from a paperboard blank having a pair of laterally spaced downwardly projecting chin strap portions each having a slot therein adjacent its upper end, a tab on the free end of each chin strap portion, said blank being bent transversely and said chin strap portions being folded inwardly along fold lines substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of said blank to lie in an overlapping substantially horizontal position with the tab of each chin strap portion fitting in the slot of the other chin strap portion to lock said blank in predetermined bent shape with its central portion spaced forwardly from said strap portion, and a tie member secured to the side portions of said blank and adapted to be passed around the back of the head of the wearer to hold said mask in place.

2. A face mask of the construction defined in claim 1, wherein said blank has an opening adapted to receive the nose of the wearer.

3. A face mask of the construction defined in claim 1, wherein said blank has an opening adapted to receive the nose of a wearer, and a second blank bent to a nose-simulating contour secured to said first blank to span and conceal said nose opening.

a. A face mask of the construction defined in claim 1, and a feature-simulating blank having a plurality of spaced margina1 tabs, said first blank having slots therein spaced difierently than the spacing of the tabs of said featuresimulating blank and receiving said tabs, said feature simulating blank being bent to space the tabs thereof similarly to the spacing of the slots of said first blank with a portion thereof spaced from said first blank.

5. A face mask of the construction defined in claim 1, and a feature-simulating blank having a plurality of spaced slots therein, said first blank being slitted to outline a plurality of tabs spaced apart to correspond to the slots of said featuresimulating blank and insertable in said slots to secure said feature-simulating blank to said first blank.

6. A face mask formed from a paperboard blank bent to transversely curved shape and including a pair of laterally spaced downwardly projecting chin strap portions folded inwardly to overlapped position extending transversely of said bent blank and spaced rearwardly of the adjacent transversely intermediate portion of said bent blank, and means for securing said chin strap portions together, said blank including laterally projecting feature-simulating portions at its side margins bent forwardly therefrom about laterally spaced substantially upright fold lines.

RALPH H. BOWER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 727,173 Merrell May 5, 1903 2,262,993 Dessart Nov. 18, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 476,251 Great Britain Dec. 6, 1937 

